September 25, 1957
Orson Welles at the Bellemont Hotel, Baton Rouge, during his interview with Charles East of the State-Times. Welles had just arrived for the filming of the movie, The Long Hot Summer, in the Clinton area.
State-Times photo by Martin L. Tanney

Oct. 5, 1983
ARCHES TO GRACE HALL - Four immense cypress arches to be installed in The Great Hall were held in temporary reisdence at the Bellemont Hotel prior to its opening.
State-Times photo by Charles Gerald

Construction of the Great Hall lobby
Morning Advocate photo by Gary Hunter

A worker at The Great Hall at the Bellemont Hotel hurries to assemble a brass and crystal chandelier in time for the meeting hall ribbon-cutting.The fixture consists of 7,603 crystal pieces and 241 lights, and measures 10 feet tall by 8 feet wide. The chandelier was designed by owner A.C. Lewis Jr. and his daughter-in-law, Cynthia Olinde Lewis, and was manufactured in France.
Morning Advocate photo by Gary Hunter

June 13, 1984
"The Great Hall" had a great moment when the Bellemont Hotel previewed its new convention center. Construction of the 50,000-square-foot facility cost $6.5 million and began in October 1983. It combines French Provincial and Louisiana Colonial styling. Its ballroom of 21,600 square feet accommodated 3,000 people for meetings or 2,000 people for banquet.
State-Times photo by Dave Stueber

June 13, 1984
The Bellemont Hotel previewed its new convention center, "The Great Hall"
State-Times photo by Dave Stueber

Extensive landscaping is part of the renovation project at the Bellemont Hotel.
Morning Advocate photo by Gary Hunter

The Great Hall exterior extended the length of the Bellemont Hotel frontage.
Morning Advocate photo by Gary Hunter

Nov. 25, 1988
Volunteers dish up Thanksgiving dinner at the Bellemont Hotel.
Morning Advocate photo by Gary Hunter

Nov. 25, 1988
Volunteers dish up Thanksgiving dinner at the Bellemont Hotel.
Morning Advocate photo by Gary Hunter

March 15, 2005
The body of murdered blues singer Jackie Neal is carried out of the Bellemont Great Hall after a funeral service.
Advocate dtaff photo by Brian Harkin

June 4, 2012
The Bellemont Hotel and Great Hall at Airline and Greenwell Springs are being demolished for salvage.
Photo provided by Charles Breard

June 4, 2012
The Bellemont Hotel on Airline Highway is being leveled.
Advocate staff photo by Arthur D. Lauck